Tim Yannopoulos, Kevin Janson, Kathryn Dougherty, Kate Stanley Ms. Myers World Studies 4 18 December 2011 The Ramayana Narrator: King Dasharatha had three wives and four sons, the eldest of which was named Rama. Even during childhood, it was clear that Rama was very strong and skilled with a bow. It came to be that one day a woman named Sita was looking for a husband, and Rama decided to compete for her hand in marriage.
Sita: Because I do not want to have a weak husband, my groom will be determined by whoever can string this bow. I will willingly marry whoever can do this.
[Rama strings and snaps the bow]
Sita: You have proven your strength! I choose you to be my husband. [places garland around Rama’s neck]
Narrator: King Dasharatha believes that it is time for him to turn his thoughts towards his afterlife, so he decides to try and achieve moksha.
Dasharatha: Rama, come here.
Rama: Yes father?
Dasharatha: I have decided that it is time for me to give up the throne, so I am passing on the duties of king to you.
Rama: I accept the throne from you.
Dasharatha: I am glad to hear that, for without your word I could not achieve moksha, which I now seek.
Rama: But what will you do now?
Dasharatha: I plan on going deep into the forest and becoming one with my surroundings. I shall leave soon.
Narrator: Later that day, Dasharatha and his wife got into an argument.
Kaikeyi: You made Rama king? How dare you!
Dasharatha: Why are you so angry?
Kaikeyi: You made a promise to me many years ago that MY son would become king after you!
Dasharatha: Ah...yes, I forgot about that, but what should I do? I already made Rama king.
Kaikeyi: You must banish Rama. This is the only way you can strip him of the throne.
Dasharatha: There has to be another way! I cannot tell Rama this!
Kaikeyi: If you will not tell him, then I will have to tell him myself.
Dasharatha [submissively]: Fine, you tell him; I cannot look him in the face and say it.
[Kaikeyi confronts Rama]
Kaikeyi [sarcastically]: Your father wants me to tell you that you are, as of now, banished from his kingdom for fourteen years. Rama: I will do whatever my father asks of me. I will go once I am ready.
Narrator: And so Rama, joined by Sita and his brother, Lakshmanan who insisted upon coming. They journeyed into the forest, where they lived in exile for fourteen years.
[In the throne room]
Kaikeyi: Bharata, you will be pleased to find out that Rama is no longer king, you are!
Bharata: But this is against the kings, and Rama’s and Dasharatha’s dharma. I shall not accept the title. [In forest where Rama is living]
Bharata: Rama, you must return to your rightful spot as king, it is your dharma.
Rama: We must obey father, I will do as I am told, and so will you. Go back and rule your people.
Bharata: Rama, may I have your sandals?
Rama: Anything for you brother.
Bharata: I will put these on the throne, and every day I shall place the fruits of my work at the feet of my Lord. [runs off]
Narrator: Many years later...
Princess: Hello Rama! How are you!
Lakshmana: Get away! How dare you even walk close to my friend Rama! [chases her off]
[in Ravana’s throne room]
Princess: Oh Ravana, I met this lovely princess named Sita today. She is so beautiful and is very charming!
Ravana: I must have her! She must be mine! I must disguise myself and trick her. Ravana [now holy man]: My lady, am collecting alms and bringing them to the shelter. Perhaps you have some offerings?
Sita: Sure, here take my meal, I will make some more (gets out of chair)
Ravana: [snatches her] Ha! I have caught you. You are now mine!
Rama: Where has Sita gone? she is missing!
Ravana: Sita, think how much more I could offer you if you were my wife.
Sita: I will never accept.
Ravana: If you refuse I will continue to torture you.
Sita: I wish Rama were here. [looks at the ground]
[Rama arrives in Lanka and fights Ravana]
Rama: Ravana, do you have any last words?
Ravana: You will never have Sita. [Rama kills Ravana]
Narrator: So Rama and Sita are happily reunited and make their way to Ayodhya, where Rama is crowned king.
[crowning ceremony]
Rama: Everyone is happy because they have fulfilled their dharma. Fathers never have to light funeral pyres for their sons.
Ms. Myers
World Studies 4
18 December 2011
The Ramayana
Narrator: King Dasharatha had three wives and four sons, the eldest of which was named Rama. Even during childhood, it was clear that Rama was very strong and skilled with a bow. It came to be that one day a woman named Sita was looking for a husband, and Rama decided to compete for her hand in marriage.
Sita: Because I do not want to have a weak husband, my groom will be determined by whoever can string this bow. I will willingly marry whoever can do this.
[Rama strings and snaps the bow]
Sita: You have proven your strength! I choose you to be my husband.
[places garland around Rama’s neck]
Narrator: King Dasharatha believes that it is time for him to turn his thoughts towards his afterlife, so he decides to try and achieve moksha.
Dasharatha: Rama, come here.
Rama: Yes father?
Dasharatha: I have decided that it is time for me to give up the throne, so I am passing on the duties of king to you.
Rama: I accept the throne from you.
Dasharatha: I am glad to hear that, for without your word I could not achieve moksha, which I
now seek.
Rama: But what will you do now?
Dasharatha: I plan on going deep into the forest and becoming one with my surroundings. I shall leave soon.
Narrator: Later that day, Dasharatha and his wife got into an argument.
Kaikeyi: You made Rama king? How dare you!
Dasharatha: Why are you so angry?
Kaikeyi: You made a promise to me many years ago that MY son would become king after you!
Dasharatha: Ah...yes, I forgot about that, but what should I do? I already made Rama king.
Kaikeyi: You must banish Rama. This is the only way you can strip him of the throne.
Dasharatha: There has to be another way! I cannot tell Rama this!
Kaikeyi: If you will not tell him, then I will have to tell him myself.
Dasharatha [submissively]: Fine, you tell him; I cannot look him in the face and say it.
[Kaikeyi confronts Rama]
Kaikeyi [sarcastically]: Your father wants me to tell you that you are, as of now, banished from his kingdom for fourteen years.
Rama: I will do whatever my father asks of me. I will go once I am ready.
Narrator: And so Rama, joined by Sita and his brother, Lakshmanan who insisted upon coming. They journeyed into the forest, where they lived in exile for fourteen years.
[In the throne room]
Kaikeyi: Bharata, you will be pleased to find out that Rama is no longer king, you are!
Bharata: But this is against the kings, and Rama’s and Dasharatha’s dharma. I shall not accept the title.
[In forest where Rama is living]
Bharata: Rama, you must return to your rightful spot as king, it is your dharma.
Rama: We must obey father, I will do as I am told, and so will you. Go back and rule your people.
Bharata: Rama, may I have your sandals?
Rama: Anything for you brother.
Bharata: I will put these on the throne, and every day I shall place the fruits of my work at the feet of my Lord.
[runs off]
Narrator: Many years later...
Princess: Hello Rama! How are you!
Lakshmana: Get away! How dare you even walk close to my friend Rama! [chases her off]
[in Ravana’s throne room]
Princess: Oh Ravana, I met this lovely princess named Sita today. She is so beautiful and is very charming!
Ravana: I must have her! She must be mine! I must disguise myself and trick her.
Ravana [now holy man]: My lady, am collecting alms and bringing them to the shelter. Perhaps you have some offerings?
Sita: Sure, here take my meal, I will make some more (gets out of chair)
Ravana: [snatches her] Ha! I have caught you. You are now mine!
Rama: Where has Sita gone? she is missing!
Ravana: Sita, think how much more I could offer you if you were my wife.
Sita: I will never accept.
Ravana: If you refuse I will continue to torture you.
Sita: I wish Rama were here. [looks at the ground]
[Rama arrives in Lanka and fights Ravana]
Rama: Ravana, do you have any last words?
Ravana: You will never have Sita.
[Rama kills Ravana]
Narrator: So Rama and Sita are happily reunited and make their way to Ayodhya, where Rama is crowned king.
[crowning ceremony]
Rama: Everyone is happy because they have fulfilled their dharma. Fathers never have to light funeral pyres for their sons.
The End!
*Kate: Narrator, Kaikeyi
Tim: Rama
Kathryn: Sita, Bharata, Lakshmana
Kevin: Dasharatha, Ravana
Mrs. Janson: Princess